Automation & Controls Engineer

Suntory Oceania; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Learning & development opportunities

Product discounts

Flexible working

Volunteer leave

Additional leave

Recognition program (SunnyStars)

Job summary

Suntory Oceania, a new multi-beverage partnership, seeks an Automation & Controls Engineer to own and improve the site’s automation and OT infrastructure. Based at the Ipswich manufacturing facility, you will collaborate across engineering, IT and operations to enhance PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA, while maintaining compliance with standards.

You will drive troubleshooting, documentation, and continuous improvement, delivering safe, reliable production outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong problem solving ability with clear communication and stakeholder engagement across operations, maintenance and IT.
• Proven experience with PLC/SCADA systems and electrical instrumentation.
• Ability to work across engineering, IT and manufacturing teams to drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimise automation systems including PLCs, HMIs and SCADA to ensure smooth production.
• Collaborate with IT to design and support automation infrastructure with security best practices.
• Engage with engineering, manufacturing and external vendors to prioritise site needs.
• Diagnose issues, implement solutions and drive continuous improvement across the site.
• Manage control system documentation, risk assessments and change-control processes.
• Support CMMS setup and contribute to preventative maintenance programs.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Electrical engineering knowledge

Education

B.Eng. Electrical

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC (ControlLogix)

AB PanelView

Siemens PLC (S7, TIA Portal)

WinCC

Ignition SCADA

Windows Server / Active Directory / SQL

Job description

Welcome to Suntory Oceania

Craft your future with Suntory Oceania, a new $3b multi-beverage partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage and Food. Underpinned by quality, craftmanship and a strong sense of purpose.

Our market-leading portfolio will have over 40 brands including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Hibiki® Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club® Whisky, -196, V Energy, Maximus and Suntory BOSS Coffee.

Inspired by our Yatte Minahare spirit, which encourages us to dream big, Suntory Oceania has recently built a $400 million new state of the art manufacturing & distribution facility in Swanbank, Ipswich that is highly automated to craft our multi-beverage portfolio and has sustainability and a carbon neutral ambition, aligning with our Growing for Good philosophy.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Automation & Controls Lead, the Automation & Controls Engineer plays a key role in owning and improving the site’s Automation and OT infrastructure—including PLCs, SCADA, instrumentation, servers, and other platforms—in collaboration with the wider engineering, IT, and operations teams. This role requires strong collaboration across engineering, operations and IT—not just technical capability.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Maintain & Optimise Automation Systems – Support and enhance PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems to ensure smooth production operations.
• Collaborate with IT - to design, support and maintain automation infrastructure, ensuring alignment with security, access control and system lifecycle best practices.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement – Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and external vendors to identify operational priorities and ensure alignment with site needs, while managing change management processes.
• Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement – Diagnose automation and IT-related issues, implement solutions, and drive efficiency across the site.
• Documentation & Compliance – Manage control system documentation, knowledgebase, ensure compliance with Australian Standards, maintain version control, and participate in risk assessments to identify hazards and mitigate potential risks.
• In this role you will interact with, advise and support various internal and external stakeholders, with outcomes including the establishment of the CMMS, identification of critical spares for maintenance purposes, commitment to a planned preventative maintenance program. Alongside a contribution to the continuous improvements of plant related processes and productivity.

Experience that you will bring

• Strong problem solving ability and demonstrated communication and stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively across operations, maintenance and IT.
• Proficient in Allen-Bradley PLC systems, including ControlLogix, AB PanelView and associated I/O and Networks.
• Proficient in Siemens PLC systems, including S7, TIA Portal, WinCC and associated I/O and Networks.
• Experience with Windows Servers, Active Directory, and SQL environments to manage and support automation applications.
• Prior experience with maintaining and integrating SCADA systems (Ignition SCADA experience is desirable).
• Demonstrated practical and technical knowledge in the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment.
• Proven ability to deliver work safely and to a high standard in line with Australian Standards.
• Relevant Tertiary qualification (B.Eng. Electrical), Electrical Trade or equivalent.

What's in it for you

• A Suntory Day – enjoy your birthday by taking a day off on us!
• Grow your career – we like to promote from within and have incredible learning and development opportunities around the world.
• Quarterly product discounts and allowances
• Flexible working – work the way that suits you
• We are committed to giving back to our communities, so we provide you with volunteer leave to do so.
• Opportunity to purchase additional leave to give you more time to recharge.
• SunnyStars – get recognised for your hard work with our recognition programme.

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success.

We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences.

We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply.

We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed.

Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.